Heart Beat

Owlan walked through the streets of the Fire Nation village. It was a small port village, where nothing of particular interest happened--at least nothing that anyone but the villagers would care about. All these people seemed to care about was the size of their fish stocks and the current marital status of the members of the community. "Gossip and fish," said "That's all this village is really good for. Neither of which I particularly care for, and yet I'm still here." Owlan sighed as he kept walking, the only reason he was here was because he heard leads of an ancient scroll that once belonged to a Creation Spirit, or was it Spirit King? The person who sent him the letter wasn't very thorough, and his hand writing was near illegible. Either way as long as the scroll was here, he was a happy man. Owlan just had one problem, how did he reach the place he needed to get to? Realizing he was lost, Owlan turned to the nearest shop vendor and asked, "Where can I find the Captain Shin-Long? Of the SS. Assunta?" asked Owlan, "He's a fisherman from this village if that helps any?"

As usual Kat walked around the streets casually, she enjoyed visiting this area often, it was different than her usual rich cultured influence back home. People were so lievly here, and she made many new friends. She smiled as the sun glowed down upon her, as she strode around town.

One places she enjoyed to stop at more than anything was a vendor, who sold exotic birds. Ones of many different colors. She enjoyed to coo at the birds, and hold, and fluff thier feathers. Each had come to know Kat very well. She even got to give each of them a play name, not pernament, since they would be sold and renamed by the customer.

Each morning she would walk up to the vendor and lean over the counter, and simply ask, " Which one left this time?" And the vendor would always smile as he woul say its pet name she gave it. This time, it was her favorite, TonTon. A bright blue and yellow bird, the largest and most pretty of them. Kat even frowned as she heard this, she hoped no one would want him, ans she would take him home, but she gave everyone a fair chance too, since this place had alot of tourists.

This morning she held Greigel on her finger, she was the second largest, and she sang the beast with Kat, next to TonTon, she spent alot of time with Greigel. Kat had just started to Coo with Greigel when a man walked up behind her. she didnt turn to look at him, but could tell he was a man by his voice. He asked for directions to see the Captain. She knew the Cap'n well, often been sailing with him just for fun, they had a friendly relationship, and Kat knew at this time, that he would be sitting down for a hard stiff drink in his cabin.

" I know where to find him," she spoke clearly and brightly, just as she stroked the fine bird.

"Do you now?" asked Owlan, somewhat drawn in by the girls blue eyes, "And where might that be?" Owlan had never seen a girl like this before, nor had he paid much attention to them. But right now, he was feeling something that he couldn't quite explain, even with his vast, encyclopedic knowledge. Acting quickly and with impulse, Owlan blurted out, "Would you lead me there? If that's okay?" Why did he just ask that? Was it because he wanted to spend more time with her? Or was he just acting like a nervous idiot because he wasn't used to talking to people that he hadn't met before; either way, what was said was said, and nothing could change that. "Forgive me, for not introducing myself," he said, figuring he may as well continue, "My name is Owlan. Owlan Ezofuji."

Kat smiled and put the bird back on its pedastool. She glanced at the man, he intrigued her, he was different, and she almost had a erge to get to know him more. but he was a compleate stranger, it would seem odd, however, since when was she not meeting random strangers.

"Do you now?" "And where might that be?"

She was graciously about to tell him where to find it when instead, he asked if she could lead him there. "Would you lead me there? If that's okay?" Kat giggled and nodded. This stranger was rather friendly, and she liked that about him. Not everyday she met someone who talked just as much as she did.

She smiled as he apologized, then her eyes got rather wide as he introduced himself. She quickly bowed, " No, forgive me My Lord, I didnt not realize it was you. " Kat had never felt so ridiculous. She had only seen a couple of portraits of the Fire Lord, but she still should have realized it was him. It was disrespectfull, and she felt like hitting herself a couple times on the forehead.

She stood back up straight, and smiled, hoping he didnt think too badly of her now. She picked up her bag and slung it over her shoulder, " But i would be most honored to escort you to him. " Kat spun around on her toes and began to walk towards the peir, in the back side of the docks was a building known as Cap'ns' Cabin. Not many people bother him while he is in there, since he has a nasty bite when drinking, but Katsumi knew him quite well, and he appreciated her company.

" By the way, If you were wondering i mean, My name is Katsumi, Or Kat for short. " She smiled and her cheeks flushed just a little, being in his presence made her a wee bit nervous. sHe didnt want him to think badly of her.

Owlan smiled as she stammered, "No, it's quite alright," he said, "It's not everyday I meet someone with such a cute giggle as yours." What the hell was he saying? He sounded like an idiot. "Anyway, thank you very much, Katsumi," said Owlan sincerely, "I appreciate your help navigating me around this town. I should visit the smaller towns of my kingdom more often so that I know how to work them myself." Owlan followed Katsumi for a short distance before speaking again, "Also, you need not call my by my title," he said smiling nervously, "Just Owlan will do, alright? I don't particularly like the formalities of the job." Owlan continued to follow the girl as she led him through the streets of the nation. As he did he looked at her and scanned her very being. She was very well built and well developed, with a nice chest line, and a slim figure; curing waist, an ass that would make any guy howl. She also had gorgeous red hair and piercing blue eyes. 'What the hell?' wondered Owlan, 'What the hell am I thinking. I barely know this woman, I shouldn't be thinking like this.' If Owlan's thoughts were colours, Owlan would be bright pink right now.

Kat smiled as he commented on her appealing laugh. Her cheeks flushed in a pale pink color, and she almost tried to hide her face by looking at the scenery around the town. It wasnt everyday that she got to escort the Fire Lord, which he thanked her for compleatly. She just held her hands together behind her back and responded with, " Oh it is no probelm at all. "

They walked a little further, and he talked about how he should come to know his villages in his country a little more. Which would be true, if the fire lord was a little more time given. Kat was sure he barely had five minutes to himself. she laughed a little as he said not to be so formal with his title, and he gave her permission to call him Owlan. She smiled and nodded.

They turned the corner and there was the pier, along with a dusty old wodden shack. This was known as the captin's cabin, often she would be in there, dicussing little things with the captain, but this was matter with the Fire Lord, and she felt like she shouldnt interfere.

Kat turned towards Owlan, " Well, you should find him in there, " She smiled and held her hands behind her back once more. The Fire Lord was tall, and she had to look up at him just a little, her eyes sparkled in the sunlight with a smile across her face as well. " If he isnt, im sure we can find him else where, though im quite certain. "

Owlan bowed to her and nodded, "Thank you very much," he said as he turned to face the cabin. He could hear voices, and was very sure the captain was in there. Before departing he paused, and then turned around to face Kat again. "Katsumi, I was wondering..." he said, "Is there a place we could meet up again later? I'd like you to show me around the town...perhaps we can get something to eat while we're out and about as well...would that be alright with you?" Owlan's cheeks flushed red with embarrassment; he wasn't entirely sure, but he may had just asked the girl out on a date. Owlan had never been one to talk to girls, being to obsessed with his work on the Codex, but for once, Owlan may just have wanted to spend time with that girl more than he did his collection of books. "Of course I can totally understand if you're not," he said looking away from her nervously, "I mean we only just met and I don't want to seem like a creep or anything and...yeah..."

She smiled as the Fire Lord bowed, and then thanked her for her deed. She didnt mind really, she liked helping people, it made her feel needed and gracious. He turned to face the cabin, and Kat took it as her time to leave, but just as she was about to turn and walk away, he faced her once more. She grinned as he finally asked if it was alright to see her once more again.

" Yes, i would like that very much. " As for a place she kinda had to think about that one. She did however have this tea shop she liked. It was a rather nice quiet place, and she figured it would be nice enough. But to meet up, maybe he didnt know the way. " If you can remember where it is, i can meet you at that stand, the one where we were just earlier, with the birds? "

Kat wondered when he would be done with his... well whatever needed to be done, so she bit her bottom lip and asked, " Do you have a time in mind?" She hoped it wouldnt be too late, but what the hell, she wasnt doing anything later, and she just realized, he was blushing, and she slowly turned a soft red as well.

"I shouldn't be too long," said Owlan, "How about twenty minutes? I just need to examine something and then I'll be done." Owlan then looked over at the way he came, "I think I can remember my way back to the stand yes," he said, "See you soon then?" And with the, Owlan turned around and left towards the cabin. The last thing Owlan remembered thinking was, 'I'm Fire Lord of the Fire Nation, I can speak to crowds of people, damn people to years in prison, make life threatening decisions at moments notice, and fought my first war at 15, and I can't even talk to a girl...' Owlan bloused again and the tips of his ears felt hot, he touched them gently and picked up his pace towards the cabin. "Jeez..." he said quietly as he knocked on the door, "What the hell IS this feeling?"

Katsumi grinned from ear to ear, the sun gently beginning to lower, they had plenty of time before it got dark. And she was glad that she would get to see him again, and yet she felt sort of guilty, like it was wrong to think fondly of him. He is the leader of the nation, her Lord, way above her class.

Yet she didnt care, she put all of that behind her. Her cheeks flushed even more as she nodded, "Yes, ill see you soon. " She then simply turned on her toes and slowly walked away, back towards the stand, but in the meantime, maybe perhaps back to the Inn to grab someting different to wear. Her day time dress didnt feel good enough for her.

She walked through the doors, and back up to her room, a servant walked down the hall way and smiled. She had come to know every person in the town really, and they all liked her very well. She was a people person, always going out of her way to help those in need, and take care for those that required it. The woman looked at the girl, " Do you have plans for tonight?"

Kat smiled, " As a matter of fact, I do! " she gently closed the door, and a few minuted passed, she opened it again, wearing her favorite blue dress. She hoped he wouldnt think she was over doing it, and with a grin on her face she walked out, towards the stand.

She reached it, and as figured, it was closed, the vendor had other things to do, like having dinner around this time. The sun was still heading down slowly, and she did believe she was a little early, so she graciouslly sat on a bench next to the stand. Awaiting Owlan, and hoping he was alright.